Inking mechanism for high speed can printing machine

ABSTRACT

An automatic coating and printing machine wherein can bodies and like tubular members are atuomatically positioned on mandrels and thereafter serially presented to coating and printing blankets wherein the necessary coating and printing is effected thereon with the mandrels being rotated as the can bodies carried thereby contact the blankets of the coating and printing cylinders to transfer coating and printing materials to the can bodies. Thereafter, the appropriately coated and printed can bodies are automatically transferred from the mandrels to another conveyor. The mandrels are so mounted wherein when no can body is on a mandrel, the mandrel does not come into contact with the printing or coating blankets. The inking mechanism for the printing machine is designed to apply a uniform coating of ink to the printing drum by a drum inking roll which first has a heavy ink coat applied thereto followed by a second light smoothing ink coat over the heavy coat in advance of the printing drum.

United States Patent 119.1 1

Szpitalak 5] Jan. 22, 1974 1 INKING MECHANISM FOR HIGH SPEED PrimaryExaminerRobert E Pulfrey CAN PRINTING MACHINE AssistantExaminer-Clifford D. Crowder Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles E. Brownet a1. [75] Inventor. Wesley J. Szpttalak, Palos Park, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc.,

New York, NY. [57] ABSTRACT An automatic coating and printing machinewherein [22] plied: 1972 can bodies and like tubular members areatuomati- [21] Appl, No; 242,110 cally positioned on mandrels andthereafter serially presented to coating and printing blankets whereinthe Related Apphcamm Data necessary coating and printing is effectedthereon with [62] Division of Ser. No. 501,372, Oct. 22, 1965, Pat. No.the mandrels being rotated as the can bodies carried $683,799 1 therebycontact the blankets of the coating and printing cylinders to transfercoating and printing materials US. Cl. .Q to the can bodies Thereafterthe appropriately [51 coated and can bodies are automatically trans-Fleld of Search 40, ferred from the mandrels to another conveyor Themandrels are so mounted wherein when no can body ReIel'enc$ Cited is ona mandrel, the mandrel does not come into UNITED STATES PATENTS contactwith the printing or coating blankets. The ink- 1,654,250 12/1927 Evans101/350 x ing mechanism for the Priming machine is designed to 3,203,3468/1965 Norton et al. 101/217 pp y a uniform coating of ink to thePrinting drum by 2,866,410 12/1958 Harless 101/350 a drum inking rollwhich first has a heavy ink coat ap- 5, 965 Norton t 101/350 X pliedthereto followed by a second light smoothing ink 2,120,978 6/1938 Huck101/350 coat over the heavy coat in advance of the printing 3,013,48912/1961 Moser et 211....v 101 350 drum 2/1941 Roesen 101/350 2 Claims,25 Drawing Figures .rzEm

PATENTEDJMI 22 1974 SHEET 05 0F 13 PA'TENTEn-m 22 I974 sum user 13PMENTEBJII 22 B74 SHEET 12 0F 13 This application is a division of mycopending application Ser. No. 501,372, filed Oct. 22, 1965, entitledHIGH SPEED CAN PRINTING MACHINE, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,799.

This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements inprinting machines, and more specifically to a novel printing machinewhich is particularly adapted for the high speed printing of can bodies.

Can bodies are principally formed from a flat blank which is shaped intocylindrical form and then secured together by means of a longitudinalseam. When it is desired to have the decoration directly applied to theexterior surface of such can bodies, the flat blanks can be printed inany conventional manner. However, re-

'-cently there has been an increase in the demand for can bodies whichare not formed from flat blanks and therefore cannot be printed ordecorated in advance. There has been developed printing presses forprinting on these can bodies after the formation thereof. However, theseprinting presses or machines which have been developed in the past aretoo slow. A customary type of printing machine is one having a pluralityof mandrels carried by a turret with each mandrel being indexedsequentially intoposition relative to a printing drum and while themandrel is in its indexed position, the can body carried thereby ispresented to the printing drum. The cost of printing can bodies withthis type of equipment is prohibitly expensive.

- In view of the foregoing, it is the principal object of this inventionto provide a novel high speed can printing machine which is capable ofcontinuously printing can bodies and with the capacity of the machinebeing many times that of prior machines whereby the utilization of themachine is economically feasible.

In accordance with this invention it is proposed to provide a novel highspeed can printing machine which includes an endless conveyor havingmandrels projecting laterallytherefrom, and there being provided meansfor automatically positioning can bodies on the mandrels and removingprinted can bodies therefrom, the machine further providing novel meansfor presenting the moving can bodies carried by the mandrels to aprinting drum whereby the necessary printing on the 'can bodies can beaccomplished while the movement of the can bodies remains continuous.

n An object of this invention is to provide a novel relationship betweenan endless chain having mandrels projecting therefrom and a printingdrum, the chain passing around a sprocket having the same axis ofrotation as the printing drum and the mandrels carried by the chainbeing disposed parallel to that axis and closely adjacent the printingdrum whereby as the chain passes around the sprocket, can bodies carriedby the mandrels are sequentially presented to the printing drum and thenecessary printing is effected.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel printingapparatus which includes a shaft having mounted thereon for rotationtherewith a sprocket, there also being'mounted on the shaft for rotationa printing drum with the speed of rotation of the printing drum beingdifferent from that of the shaft, and there being entrained over aportion of the sprocket an endless chain conveyor having mandrelsprojecting laterally therefrom for positioning parallel to and closelyadjacent to the printing surface of the printing drum, the relativemovement of the surface of the printing drum with respect to themandrels effecting the rotation of the can bodies carried by the mandreland thus causing printing thereon by the surface of the printing drum.

Another object of this invention is to provide a printing apparatus ofthe type set forth above wherein each mandrel is automatically tiltedwith respect to the printing drum so as to be spaced from the printingdrum and there is associated with each mandrel a support which willautomatically bring the mandrel back to a position parallel to theprinting drum when a can body is carried thereby in a manner so as toassure the proper printing of the can body and at the same time assuringthe spacing of the mandrel from the surface of the printing drum when nocan body is positioned thereon to prevent the accidental coating of themandrel.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel endless chain andmandrel assembly for use as part of a high speed printing machine forcan bodies, the endless chain having special links formed therein atregularly spaced intervals and the mandrels being carried by the speciallinks for rotation, each of the special links having a bearing unit orhub in which the mandrel is rotatably journalled, and there beingcarried by each hub a plurality of link elements which are mounted forlimited pivotal movement whereby flexing of the chain with respect tothe axis of the hub may be accomplished in opposite directions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel high speed canprinting machine which is so constructed to occupy a minimum of spaceand at the same time provide for the automatic loading and discharge ofcan bodies and the application thereto first of a printing coating andthen an overcoating of varnish.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel inking train fora printing drum which provides for the application of an even coating ofink to the printing drum, the inking train including a drum inking rollwhich has first applied thereto a relatively heavy coating of ink andthen a relatively light coating of ink, the light coating of ink fillingin and smoothing out the first applied heavy coating of ink.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus forautomatically applying can bodies to a mandrel, the apparatus includinga turret having pockets therein for receiving can bodies and there beingprovided a feed screw for positioning can bodies to be received by thepockets of the turret, and there being associated with each pocket ofthe turret a pusher which will push from the turret pocket a can bodywhen the mandrel is in alignment with the turretpocket.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the can printingmachine and shows the relationship of the various components thereof.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the drive mechanism of thecan printing machine and is taken from the opposite sides thereof fromthat of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the function of the pusher forapplying a can body to a mandrel.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the apparatus for bringing a can bodysurface into contact with the printing blanket of the printing drum.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the details of the apparatus forbringing the printed can bodies intocontact with the drum blanket of thevarnisher.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a section ofthe endless conveyor chain and the general details of a mandrel carriedthereby.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view takenalong the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and shows the specific details of theconstruction of the mandrel and the special link of the chain in whichthe mandrel is rotatably journalled.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a portion of a sprocket havingentrained thereover the chain of FIG. 6 and shows the relationship ofthe special link of the chain with respect to the sprocket.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the printing machine and shows only thatportion thereof appearing at the righthand half of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view takenalong the line 10-10 of FIG. 9 and shows specifically the details of theupper part of the can printing machine.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view takenalong the line 11-11 of FIG. 9 and shows specifically the details of thecarrier mounting the pushers for effecting the placing of can bodies onthe mandrels.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken alongthe line 12-12 of FIG. 9 and shows the specific details of the head ofthe pusher and the relationship thereof with respect to a can body.

FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the lower portionof the printing machine and shows specifically the details of both theprinting apparatus and the varnishing apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view takenalong the line 14-14 of FIG. 13 and shows the details of the lower halfof the printing machine.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view takenalong the line 15-15 of FIG. 13 and shows the specific details of themounting of the supports which cooperate with the mandrels to presentcan bodies to the printing drum.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary tranverse vertical sectional viewtaken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 13 and shows the specific details ofthe head of the support and the relationship thereof to a can bodycarried by the mandrel.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view similar toFIG. 16 and shows the support of FIG. 16 having a modified form of headfor engagement with can bodies of the type having integral closed ends.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line18-18 of FIG. 14 and shows more specifically the details of the printingapparatus.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken alongthe line 19-19 of FIG. 18 and shows the specific details of the sprocketassociated with the printing drum and the means carried thereby forautomatically urging the mandrels away from the blanket of the printingdrum.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken alongthe line 20-20 of FIG. 19 and shows further the details of the mechanismfor automatically urging the mandrels away from the printing drum.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary schematic plan view showing the manner in whicha mandrel is held away from the printing drum when there is no can bodypositioned thereon.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary generally elevational view taken along the line22-22 of FIG. 14 and shows the specific details of a device forinitiating the rotation of a mandrel before it presents a can bodycarried thereby to the blanket of the printing drum.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical view taken along the line23-23 of FIG. 22 and shows the manner in which the device of FIG. 22 maybe adjusted.

FIG. 24 is a schematic view taken through the inking train for theprinting drum and shows the relationship of the various inking rollsthereof.

FIG. 25 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through thevarnishing apparatus along the line 25-25 of FIG. 14 and showsspecifically the details thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there areillustrated the details of the can printing machine, which is generallyreferred to by the numeral 30. The can printing machine 30 includesbasically a can feed mechanism, which is generally referred to by thenumeral 31, a printing mechanism or apparatus, which is generallyreferred to by the numeral 32, a varnishing apparatus, which isgenerally referred to by the numeral 33, and a can discharge or transferapparatus, which is generally referred to by the numeral 34.

All of these mechanism or apparatus are connected together by an endlessconveyor chain which is referred to by the numeral 35. In view of thefact that the endless conveyor chain 35 is a special chain and plays animportant part in this invention, the details of the conveyor chain 35will be set forth first.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 8 in particular, it will be seen that theconveyor chain 35 is for the most part of the conventional type and isof the double row type. However, at regularly spaced intervals, theconveyor chain 35 is provided with special links which are referred toby the numeral 36. It is the constructional detail of the special links36 which make the chain 35 a special chain.

Referring now to FIG. 8 in particular, it will be seen that the speciallink 36 includes a hub or bearing unit which is generally referred to bythe numeral 37. The hub 37 includes a sleeve 38 which has secured in theopposite ends thereof bearing sleeves 39 of the flanged type. The sleeve38 has joumalled thereon four special link elements 40, 41, 42 and 43.The link elements 40 and 43 are identical while the link elements 41 and42 are identical. However, it is to be noted that the link elements ofeach pair are reversely positioned on the sleeve 38. As is clear fromFIG. 6, the link element 40 has a single ear 44 projecting to the right.The link element 41 has two ears 45 and 46 projecting to the left. Thelink element 42 has two cars 47 and 48 projecting to the right, and thelink element 43 has a single ear 49 projecting to the left. The ears 44and 45 are in alignment, the ears 46 and 47 are in alignment and thecars 48 and 49 are in alignment and are connected to the remaining linksof the chain 35 in a conventional manner.

It will be readily apparent that the link elements 40 and 42 may pivotin unison in one clockwise direction while the link elements 41 and 43are free to pivot in the opposite clockwise direction. Thus, the chainmay pivot about the axis of the special link 36 in opposite directionsin the same manner as it does with respect to any other link thereof.

It is to be noted that the two link elements 41 and 42 have notches inthe opposite faces thereof ,while the link elements and 43 have notchesin only the inner faces thereof. The notches of the link elements arenot complementary,- but each notch is in excess of 180 so as to allowlimited relative pivoting between the link elements to accomplish thenecessary flexibility of the conveyor chain 35.

Each of the special links 36 carries a mandrel which is generallyreferred to by the numeral 51. Each mandrel 51 includes a shaft 52 whichis hollow for a purpose not part of this invention but which is utilizedin the mounting and discharging of a can body from the mandrel 51. Thehollow shaft 52 is rotatably journalled in the bearing sleeve 39. Ahollow mandrel body 53 is secured to the left end. of the shaft 52, asis viewed in FIG. 7, by means of a pin 54. The left end portion of themandrel body 53 has a resilient cover 55 of a size to snugly, fit withina can body. It is to be noted that the left end of the cover 55 istapered as at 56 to facilitate the positioning of a can body on themandrel 51. It is also to be noted that the right end of the cover 55 issecured to the mandrel body 53 by means of a set screw Each shaft 52 isprovided with spacers 58 and 59 at the opposite ends of the hub 37. Theright end of the shaft 52 carries a conventional cam follower 60 whichis secured in place on the shaft 52 by means of a nut 61.

It is to be noted that the right end portion of the mandrelbody 53 isenlarged and has positioned thereon a ring 62. The ring 62 may be of anysuitable wear resistant material through which the mandrel 51 may berotated by frictional engagement therewith. The purpose of the ring 62will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 8 in particular, it will be seen that there isillustrated a typical sprocket which for identification purposes isreferred to by the numeral 63. The sprocket 63 is provided with teeth 64arranged in two rows for normal engagement with the normal links of thechain 35. The sprocket 63 is recessed at regularly spaced intervals at65. The recesses 65 correspond in spacing to the special links 36 andare of sufficient size to receive the hubs 37. It will be noted fromFIG. 1 that although the chain 35 is provided with the enlarged links36, due to the specific construction of the links 36, the chain 35 willflex in the opposite direction in the same manner as any otherconventional type of chain.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 10 in particular, it will be seen that themain portion of the cam printing machine 30 is supported by a framewhich is generally referred to by the numeral 66. The specific detailsof the frame, for the most part, form no part of this invention.However, it is to be understood that the frame 66 does include a pair ofside plates 67 and 68. The can feed mechanism 31 is mounted in the upperportion of the frame 66. The can feed mechanism 31 includes a shaft 69which extends transversely of the frame 66 and which is rotatablyjournalled in suitable bearings 70 and 71 carried by the side plates 67and 68, respectively. The shaft 69 carries a sprocket 72 over which thechain 35 is entrained. The shaft 69 is thus driven by means of the chain35.

The can feed mechanism 31 includes a stub shaft 73 whichis carried by ahousing 74 extending from the side plate 67, as is best shown in FIG. 9.The stub shaft 73 carries a sprocket 75 under which the chain 35 passesbefore it passes upwardly and around the sprocket 72. The sprocket 75and the shaft 73 are driven by the chain 35.

A shaft 76 extends across the frame 66 to the left of the shaft 69. Theshaft 76 has the opposite ends thereof rotatably journalled in bearings77 and 78 carried by the side plates 67 and 68, respectively. The shaft76 is driven from the stub shaft 73 by means of a drive chain 80. Thedrive chain 80 is entrained over a drive sprocket 81 carried by the stubshaft 73 and a driven sprocket 82 carried by the shaft 76.

The side plates 67 and 68 are connected together at their upperleft-hand corners by means of a transverse rod 83. The rod 83 supports abracket 84 which is positioned centrally of the frame 66, as isgenerally shown in FIG. 9. The bracket 84, in turn, supports a verticalguide 85 for can bodies which are horizontally disposed. The verticalguide 85 is aligned with the lower end of a chute 86 through which canbodies are delivered to the guide 85. A spiral feed screw 87 ispositioned adjacent the guide 85 for effecting the movement of the canbodies through the guide 85 in a predetermined spaced relation. The feedscrew 87 is carried by a shaft 88 which has its upper end suitablyjournalled in a bearing carried by a plate 89 and its lower end suitablyjournalled in a bearing carried by a plate 90. The plates 89 and 90 arecarried by the bracket 84.

The bracket 84 supports a horizontal shaft 91 which is provided with abevel gear 92 on one end thereof. The bevel gear 92, in turn, engages abevel gear 93 secured to the lower end of the shaft 88 for effecting therotation of the shaft 88. The opposite end of the shaft 91 is providedwith a sprocket 94 which is aligned with a sprocket 95 carried by theshaft 76. A drive chain 96 is entrained over the sprockets 94 and 95 anddrivingly connects the two together so that the shaft 76 is utilized inthe driving of the shaft 88. If desired, an idler sprocket 97 may beprovided for the purpose of adjusting the tension of the chain 96, theidler sprocket 97 being shown in FIG. 9.

The shaft 76 carries a turret which is generally referred to by thenumeral 98. The turret 98 is formed of a pair of spaced plates 100 whichare mounted on the shaft 76 for rotation therewith. The plates 100 haveseats 101 formed therein for the reception of can bodies from the lowerend of the guide 85. Inasmuch as the plates 100 are rotated in timedrelation to the movement of the can bodies along the guide 85 by thefeed screw 87, it will be seen that each can body has available a seat101 therefor when it reaches the lower end of the guide 85.

The frame 66 also includes a transverse rod 102 which extends betweenthe side plates 67 and 68 and ties together the same. There is mountedon the central portion of the rod 102 a suitable bracket structure 103which, in turn, supports a suitable guide 104. The guide 104 is of asuitable construction for retaining the can bodies within the turret 98as they pass about the lower portion of the travel of the turret 98.

The shaft 69 carries a turret which is generally referred to by thenumeral 105. The turret 105 includes a large center hub member 106 whichis polygonal in outline and which carries a plurality of can bodysupport shoes 107 disposed in circumferentially spaced relation. It isto be noted that the support shoes 107 are spaced both circumferentiallyand radially in accordance with the path of movement of mandrels 51about the axis of the shaft 69. It is also to be noted that the spacingof the supporting shoes 107 corresponds to the spacing of the pockets101 in the turret 98. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the timing ofthe rotation of the turrets 105 and 98 is such that the pockets 101 arealigned with the support shoes 107 at the point of transfer between thetwo turrets whereby a can body may be readily transferred from theturret 98 tothe turret 105.

It is to be understood that when a can body is transferred to the turret105 from the turret 98, the can body is loosely seated in a support shoe107 thereof. In order to prevent the accidental displacement of a canbody radially outwardly of its associated support shoe 107, there iscarried by the bracket 103 a further guide structure, which is referredto by the numeral 108. The guide structure 108 is suitably constructedto retain the can bodies in the support shoes 107 as they move upwardlyand about the top of the turret 105, as viewed in FIG. 10.

As is clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the shaft 69 also carries forrotation therewith a pusher unit, which is generally referred to by thenumeral 110. The pusher unit 110, as is best shown in FIGS. 9 and 11,includes a hub 111 which is keyed onto the shaft 69. The hub 111 carriesa pair of support wheels 112 which are spaced axially of the shaft 69.The support wheels 112, in turn, support sleeves 113 which extendparallel to the shaft 69 and which are aligned with the support shoes107 of the turret 105. The sleeves 113 have positioned therein shafts114 which are mounted for reciprocatory movement parallel to the shaft69. The shafts 114 are keyed by means of keys 115 to their respectivesleeves 113 so as to fix the shafts 114 against rotation.

The pusher unit 110 also includes a cam track 116 which is fixedlymounted on the side frame plate 68. The cam 116 is cylindrical inoutline and is concentric about the axis of the shaft 69. The stroke ofthe cam 116 is longitudinally of the shaft 69.

It is to be noted that each of the shafts 114 is provided at the endthereof remote from the turret 105 with a cam follower 117. Each camfollower 117 has a monting fastener 118 which extends generally normalto the axis of its associated shaft 114. The cam follower of each shaft114 rides in the cam 116 and effects the reciprocation of the respectiveshaft 114 in timed relation to the rotation of the pusher unit 110.

Referring now to FIG. 12 in particular, it will be seen that each of theshafts 114 is provided at the end thereof remote from the cam follower117 thereof with a reduced end portion 119. The reduced end portion 119has suitably secured thereon, such as by means of a threaded connection120, a head 121. The head 121 may be locked in place by means of a setscrew 122. The head 121 has a resilient cushion 123 suitably secured onthe free end thereof with the cushion 123 being particularly shaped forengaging an end of a can body and exerting an axial force thereon in amanner so as to not to damage the can body in any manner whatsoever.

It will be apparent from FIG. 9 that as a can body moves about the axisof the shaft 69 in supporting relation by means of the turret 105, it isaligned with both a mandrel 51 and one of the shafts 114. Thisrelationship is maintained through at least 360 of the rotation of a canbody about the shaft 69. As the can body rotates about shaft 69, theshaft 114 associated therewith is advanced towards the aligned mandrel51 and first comes into engagement with the adjacent end of a can body.After the head 121 of the particular shaft 114 engages the associatedend of the can body, it begins to move the can body axially out of itsassociated support shoe 107. The movement of the can body axially of theshaft 69 results in the can body open end freely passing over themandrel 51 in the manner generally shown schematically in FIG. 3 andspecifically in FIG. 9. The stroke of the cam 116 is such so as toeffect the full seating of a can body on an associated mandrel 51. As isclearly shown in FIG. 3 diagrammatically, the shape of the cam 116 issuch to provide for the automatic projection and retraction of theshafts 114 sufficient to effect the necessary transfer of can bodiesfrom the turret to the mandrels 51 in timed relation to the rotation ofthe shaft 69.

After a can body has been properly positioned on a mandrel 51, it ismoved towards the printing apparatus 32. As is best shown in FIG. 18,the printing apparatus 32 includes a shaft 125 which extendstransversely of the frame 66 and is suitably rotatably journalled inbearings 126 and 127 carried by the side plates 67 and 68, respectively.The shaft 125 has mounted thereon for rotation therewith a sprocket 128.The sprocket 128 is disposed adjacent the side plate 67 and hasentrained thereover the chain 35 with the chain passing around thesprocket in the direction best shown in FIG. 14.

A printing drum, which is generally referred to by the numeral 130 isrotatably journalled on the central portion of the shaft 125 adjacentthe sprocket 128. The printing drum 130 includes a hub 131 which issupported on the shaft for rotation by means of bearings 132. A suitablesupport structure 133 extends outwardly from the hub 131. Inasmuch asthe support structure 133 in itself plays no part in this invention, itwill not be described in detail. It is to be understood, however, thatthe support structure 133 may be of any conventional type and isparticularly adapted to support a plurality of blankets 134 which arealso of a conventional construction. The blankets 134 are separatelyremovable and the preferred embodiment of the invention has fourblankets 134 which are of like construction and which are equally spacedabout the periphery of the printing drum 130.

Referring once again to FIG. 18, it will be seen that the hub 131 isprovided at the end thereof adjacent the sprocket 123 with a drive gear135 which is in the form of a sun gear of a planetary gear unit. It willalso be seen that the sprocket 128 functions as a carrier and supports aplurality of bearing sleeves 136 in which there are rotatably journalledplanetary shafts. At the inner end of each planetary shaft there ispositioned a planetary gear 137 which is meshed with the sun gear 135.The outer end of each planetary shaft is provided with a planetary gear138 which is in meshing engagement with an internal ring gear 139. Theinternal ring gear effect the rotation of the printing drum 130 throughthe driving of the sun gear 135. It is to be understood that theprinting drum 130 will rotate in the same direction and at a greaterrate than the shaft 125.

It is preferred that the printing apparatus be of the multiple colortype. Accordingly, there is associated with the printing drum 130 aplurality of inking trains 140. The inking trains 140 are described inmore detail hereinafter. However, his to be noted that the printing drum130 carries a large drive gear 141 which is engaged with a driven gear142 carried by a main shaft 143 of each of the inking trains 140. Theshaft 143, by means of suitable gearing (not shown) drives the remainderof the inking train.

It will be readily apparent from FIG. 18 that the axial relationship ofthe mandrels 51 and the blankets 134 of the printing drum 130 is suchthat can bodies carried by the mandrels 51 are axially aligned with theblankets 134 so that printing may be effected on the exterior surfacesof the can bodies by the blankets 134.

' It will be seen from FIG. 18 that the outer end of each mandrel 51 issupported at the time a can body carried thereby is'presented to theblankets 134 by means of cam track 145. The cam track 145 has receivedtherein the cam follower 60 of each mandrel. The relationship of the camfollowers 60 and the cam track 145 aids in radially positioning themandrels 51. However, due to the rounded configuration of the outersurface of each cam follower 60, pivoting of the mandrels 51 away fromand towards the printing drum 130 may be ac- I complished.

Referring now to FIGS. 19, and 21, it will be seen there is illustratedthe details of the sprocket 128. The sprocket 128 includes a rim 146which is supported by a plurality of spokes 147. The spokes 147 arealigned with pockets or seats 148 for the special links 36 of the chain35. The rim 146 is provided with conventional teeth 150 adjacent theseat 148.

Each of the spokes 147-carries a camming member 151 on the inner surfacethereof in alignment with the associated seat 148. The camming member151 is carried by a rod 152 which is slidably mounted in a guide block153 for radial movement. The camming member 151 is spring loadedradially outwardly by means of a spring 154. Outward movement of thecamming member 151 is limited by a collar 155 carried by the rod 152. Asis clear from FIG. 21, when one of the special links 36 is seated in anassociated seat 148 of the sprocket 128, the special link 36 is engagedby the associated-camming member 151 and is urged outwardly with theresult that thespecial link 36 and the associated mandrel 51 is cockedin the direction clearly thereon, thereby preventing the undesiredcoating of the covering 55 with ink.

In order to facilitate the movement of the can bodies so that they willbe engaged by the blankets 134, there is associated with the printingdrum 131) a support assembly which is generally referred to by thenumeral 157. The support assembly 157 includes a turret structure 158which is carried by the shaft for rotation therewith. The turretstructure 158 includes a suitable hub 159 which is fixedly secured tothe shaft 125. The turret structure 158 has supported in the outerportion thereof axially extending bearing sleeves 160. The bearingsleeves 160 have the same spacing as the pockets 148 of the sprocket 128and are aligned therewith. In each bearing sleeve 160 there ispositioned an intermediate portion of a shaft 161 which is keyedrelative to the bearing sleeve 160 to prevent the rotation thereof. Theouter end of each of shafts 161 is provided with a cam follower 162which is seated in a cam track 163. The cam track 163 is fixedly securedto the side plate 63'.

Reference is now made to FIG. 16 wherein there is illustrated the innerend of one of the shafts 161. The inner end of each shaft 161 is of atubular construction and a suitable bearing assembly 164 is positionedtherein. In the bearing assembly there is rotatably journalled a shaft165 which is provided at the projecting end thereof with a head 166particularly adapted for engagement with the associated end of a canbody carried by one of the mandrels 51. It is to be noted that the head166 has a tapered surface 167 so as to permit the automatic alignment ofthe mandrel 51 with the shaft 161 as the head 166 enters into the end ofthe can body.'A suitable thrust bearing 168 is provided at the oppositeend of the shaft 165 to carry the thrust imposed upon the shaft 165 asthe head 166 enters into a can body. It is to be noted that the head 166and the associated shaft 165 is free to rotate while the shaft 161 isfixed against rotation.

It is also to be noted that the head 166 is interchangeably mounted onthe shaft 165 and is held in place by means of a set screw 169. In FIG.17 there is illustrated a modified form of head which is referred to bythe numeral 70. The head 170 has a socket type seat 171 which includes atapered surface 172 for engaging a closed end can body on the externalsurface thereof. It is to be understood that the head 170 will alsofunction to effect the alignment of a mandrel with the associated shaft161.

Reference is now made to the schematic shown in FIG. 4. It will be seenthat when a can body and mandrel 51 first start movement about theprinting drum 130, the camming member 151 will retain the can body inradially spaced relation with respect to the blankets 134 of theprinting drum. At the proper time, when the can body is disposed betweenadjacent blankets, the associated shaft 161 will move axially of theshaft of the printing drum and will come into engagement with the canbody carried by the mandrel. The co-action of the head 166 of the shaft161 and the can body will result in the radial movement of the can bodyand mandrel towards the center of the printing drum 136 with the resultthat the can body will come into position for contact with theovertaking blanket 134. Inasmuch as the printing drum 130 is turningfaster than the can body is being conveyed, although the can body andthe printing drum are both moving about the axis of the printing drum ina counterclockwise direction, the can body willbe rotated about its axisby its engagement with the printing drum blanket 134. It is to beunderstood that the relative movement of the blanket 134 with respect tothe can body will be such that a complete rotation of the can body willbe effected while it is in contact with the printing drum. After thecomplete revolution of the can body has been effected and the can bodyhas passed off of the blanket, the shaft 161 will be withdrawn to permitthe can body to pass on to the next station.

It will be readily apparent that it is preferred that the mandrels 51 berotating as the can bodies carried thereby come into engagement with theblankets of the printing drum. As a result, there is positioned adjacentthe path of the mandrels 51 as they approach the printing drum 130 anaccelerator ramp structure which is generally referred to by the numeral175. The accelerator ramp structure 175 is carried by a support rod 176which extends inwardly from the side plate 67, as is shown in FIG. 22. Acollar 177 is mounted on the rod 176 and carries a support arm 178. Thesupport arm 178 is adjustable about the rod 176 by means of a shaft 179which has one end thereof rotatably journalled in the plate 67 as at180. The opposite end of the shaft 179 is in the form of an eccentric181 which is journalled within the arm 178. The shaft 179 is providedwith an enlarged head 182 to facilitate the rotation thereof to adjustthe arm 178.

The arm 178 carries an accelerator ramp 183 which has one end thereofpivotally connected to the arm 178 by means of a pivot shaft 184. Theopposite end of the accelerator ramp 183 is adjustably mounted and iscarried by a rod 184 having a head 185 which is secured to theaccelerator ramp 183. The rod 184 passes through a block 186 carried bythe arm 178 and is retained in an adjusted position by means of locknuts 187. It is to be understood that the accelerator ramp 183 ispositioned for contact byring members 62 of mandrels 51 to automaticallyeffect the rotation of the mandrels as they pass along the acceleratorramp 183.

After the chain 35 passes around the sprocket 128 of the printingapparatus 32, it passes in' a clockwise direction around and below asprocket 190 which is carried by a stub shaft 191. The mounting of thestub shaft 191 and the details of the sprocket 190 play no part in thisinvention, and therefore, will not be more specifically describedhereinafter.

The chain 35 next passes around a sprocket 192 of the varnishingapparatus 33 to effect the application of varnish overcoat to thepreviously printed can bodies.

Referring now to FIG. 25 in particular, it will be seen that thevarnishing apparatus 33 includes a shaft 193 which extends between theside plates 67 and 68 and is rotatably journalled in bearings 194 and195 carried by the side plates 67 and 68', respectively. The sprocket192 is fixedly secured to the shaft 193 and is utilized for the purposeof driving the shaft 193 in addition to the presentation of can bodiesto the varnishing apparatus 33 in timed sequence. The varnishingapparatus 33 includes a varnishing drum, generally referred to by thenumeral 196. The varnishing drum 196 is of the same general constructionas the printing drum 130 and will not be described in more detail hereexcept to state that it does include a hub 197 which is rotatablyjournalled on the shaft 193 and has replaceable blankets 198 whichcorrespond to the blankets 134.

The varnishing drum 196 is driven by a planetary gear unit from thesprocket 192 in the same manner as is the printing drum 130.

It will be seen that the varnishing drum 196 has attached thereto a sungear 200 which is driven by planetary gears 201 which are carried byplanetary shafts rotatably journalled in bearing sleeves 202 fixedlysecured to the sprocket 192 functioning as a carrier. The planetaryshafts have planetary gears 204 on the opposite ends thereof which aremeshed with an internal ring gear 205 carried by the plate 144 of theframe 66. Further description of the manner in which the vamishing drum196 is driven at a speed greater than the shaft 193 is believed to beunnecessary.

It is to be understood that the sprocket 192 is of the same constructionas the sprocket 128 so that the mandrels 51 are normally urged away fromthe blankets 198 of the varnishing drum 196. Furthermore, the mandrelsare positioned radially by means of a cam track 206 which has engagedtherein the cam follower 60. In addition, there is associated with thevarnishing drum a support unit which is generally referred to by thenumeral 207 and which corresponds to the support unit 157 associatedwith the printing drum 130. Like the support unit 157, the support unit207 has cam track 208 for effecting the timed reciprocation of pushershafts 161 carried thereby. Inasmuch as the structural details of thesupport unit 207 and the function thereof is substantially the same asthat of the support unit 157, the structural details thereof will beidentified by the same reference numerals and further description willnot be made.

Referring now to FIG. 5 in particular, it will be seen that there isillustrated diagrammatically the outline of the cam track 208. It willbe seen that the cam track 208 is soshaped so as to effect theengagement of can bodies when the can bodies are between the blankets198 of the varnishing drum 196 and holds them in the proper relativeposition with respect to the blankets 198 to effect a completevarnishing overcoat.

It is to be understood that the can bodies are rotated by the blankets198 of the varnishing drum 196. It is however, desired that the canbodies be rotated prior to the time they are presented to the blankets198. Accordingly, an accelerator ramp structure 210 is positionedadjacent the path of the can bodies as they pass from the sprocket tothe varnishing drum 196. The accelerator ramp structure 210 is carriedby a support rod 211 and is otherwise identical with the acceleratorramp structure 175. Accordingly, no further description of the detailsthereof will be made here, and like parts will be referred to by likereference numerals.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 25, it will be seen that there will beillustrated the details of a varnish supply train which is generallyreferred to by the numeral 212. The varnish supply train 212 includes asuitable supply pan 213 which is adjustably mounted by means ofadjustable supports 214 which will not be described in detail. A pickuproll 215 rotates within the pan 213 and transfers varnish to a roll 216which, in turn, transfers varnish to the blankets 198 of the varnishingdrum 196. It is to be understood that the rolls 215 and 216 aresupported by a suitable support structure 217 which also supports thepan 213.

The drive for the rolls 215 and 216 is accomplished by means of a drivechain 218 which is entrained about a sprocket 220 carried by the shaft193 adjacent the

1. An inking train for applying ink to a printing drum comprising a druminking roll, and first inking means for first applying a heavy ink coatto said drum inking roll and second inking means for applying a secondlight smoothing ink coat over said heavy coat in advance of saidprinting drum, an ink fountain, a resilient transfer roll, transfermeans for transferring ink from said fountain to said transfer roll, andsaid first and second inking means engage said transfer roll andtransfer ink from said transfer roll to said drum inking roll, saidfirst and second inking means including a metal oscillating roll engagedwith said transfer roll and a soft resilient form roll engaged with saiddrum inking roll and a respective one of said metal oscillating rolls.2. An inking train for applying ink to a printing drum comprising a druminking roll, and first inking means for first applying a heavy ink coatto said drum inking roll and second inking means for applying a secondlight smoothing ink coat over said heavy coat in advance of saidprinting drum, an ink fountain, a resilient transfer roll, transfermeans for transferring ink from said fountain to said transfer roll, andsaid first and second inking means engage said transfer roll andtransfer ink from said transfer roll to said drum inking roll, each ofsaid first and second inking means including a metal oscillating rollengaged with said transfer roll and a soft resilient form roll engagedwith said drum inking roll and a respective one of said metaloscillating rolls, said transfer means including a metal oscillatingroll engaged with said transfer roll and a ductor roll periodicallymoving between said fountain and said last mentioned metal oscillatingroll.